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  • WebStart vs Applets
    • A quick comparison of Java Web Start vs Applets:
        WebStart Applets
      Purpose Runs a Java program locally after downloading from a web server Runs a Java program in a web browser
      Browser dependent? Little or no browser dependency Extremely browser-dependent
      Runs on local system? Yes Yes (in browser)
      Version-controlled caching of application? Yes (downloads new version if available) No (downloads entire application every time)
      Can be launched offline? Yes No
      Can be launched from a web page? Yes Yes
      Can be embedded in a web page? No Yes
      Can run native code? Yes (if available) No
      Web Browser Configuration Browser association for JNLP files (easy for user to do, most browsers will prompt the user to do this) Java plugin must be installed for browser (requires root access)
      Application Performance Runs as fast as normal application Usually slower due to being run in a browser
      Security Issues Same as stand-alone application Numerous restrictions added
    • Which one is best?
      • Depends on the application.
      • If it must be embedded in a web page, an applet is the only option.
      • If it doesn't need to be embedded in a web page, WebStart is usually the best choice.